Here’s the schedule for Day Two of President Biden’s Irish visit:
- President meets President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park
- Meets Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in nearby Farmleigh House, scheduled for 1pm
- Attends “a youth Gaelic sports demonstration” at Farmleigh, according to White House schedule
- Addresses the Houses of the Oireachtas, due at 3.45pm
- Attends Banquet Dinner at Dublin Castle, due to start at 7pm
Read more of our coverage on President Joe Biden’s visit here:
- ‘It feels like home’: Biden ends first day of visit with a family reunion
- Miriam Lord: Joe Biden, giddy with Irish pride, serves up delicious gaffe
- Analysis: For all the softly softly approach, Biden’s message on restoring Assembly was clear
- Fintan O’Toole: JFK embodied an idea of what Ireland aspired to be, Biden embodies an idea of what we used to be
- David Kilroy: Why US presidents just can’t stay away from Ireland
Right folks that’s all from me, Jack Power, and the for liveblog for this evening. I will leave you with a quick pointer to some of The Irish Times best coverage of the Biden visit today.
Political editor Pat Leahy has a subscriber only piece here looking at what the main themes and messages were from Biden over his various engagements on Thursday.
Sarah Burns has a full report here on Biden’s address to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
While Ronan McGreevy has a news report here of Biden’s earlier meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Farmleigh.
And obviously leaving the very best for last, it’s Miriam Lord’s colour piece capturing the day here.
Cormac McQuinn also has the rundown on who got the invite to the dinner on Thursday evening:
Around 160 guests were present for a banquet of Lambay Island crab cake, roast lamb and a pear and maple tart dessert.
Those present included former presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese and former Taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Enda Kenny along with Cabinet ministers Eamon Ryan, Simon Coveney, Helen McEntee, Roderic O’Gorman, Norma Foley, Darragh O’Brien and Catherine Martin.
Outgoing RTÉ director general Dee Forbes, Ireland football Manager Stephen Kenny, former Ireland rugby player Rob Kearney, GAA pundit Joe Brolly and footballer Stephanie Roche were also in attendance along with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Defence Forces Chief of Staff Seán Clancy.
Opposition leaders Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin, Ivana Bacik of Labour and the Social Democrats’ Holly Cairns were also present as were Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Seanad Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer.
Politicians from the North - Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill, Colum Eastwood of the SDLP and Naomi Long of the Alliance Party - also attended as did US politicians Richie Neal and Chris Dodd.
Irish Times political correspondent Cormac McQuinn reports from the official banquet:
Former Irish presidents and Taoisigh along with serving politicians and figures from the worlds of sport and the arts assembled in St Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle for a banquet in honour of US President Joe Biden.
In pre-dinner remarks Taoiseach Leo Varadkar thanked Mr Biden for his support of Ireland throughout his career while Mr Biden told those gathered there is “nothing Ireland and the United States can’t achieve together”.
Mr Varadkar and Mr Biden were seated together at a table that also included Marie Heaney the wife of the late poet Seamus Heaney.
During his remarks Mr Biden told Ms Heaney that one of his “great regrets” was being unable to accept an invitation to introduce her husband at a university presentation.
He thanked her for being there and said: “I’ve had a life-long love for Irish poets and words made famous by Yeats like ‘in dreams begin responsibility’.
“We have a lot of dreams... I’ve been doing this a long time and I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of both our countries than I am today...
“As your husband would have said ‘believe that further shore Is reachable from here’.
“I believe the further shore is reachable. I honest to God do.”
Mr Varadkar praised the role of the United States in the Northern Ireland peace process saying: “America helped make that peace possible, and your country across the aisle has helped protect that peace in the years since”.
He also told Me Biden: “Thank you for putting yourself on the line for Ireland on so many occasions throughout your career...
“You have made an enormous difference”.
For the banquet Biden is sat at a table with the Taoiseach, as well as Marie Heaney, wife of the late poet Seamus Heaney.
Addressing the guests at the event, the US president says his ‘Grandpa Finngegan’ used to tell him “if you’re lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough”.
Some more photos landing of Biden being greeted by Varadkar as he arrives in Dublin Castle for the banquet this evening
Our senior food writer Marie-Claire Digby has a look at what’s on the menu for the evening, which you can read here.
The guests will be served up a seafood starter featuring Lambay Island crab cake, followed by roast lamb for the main and then pear and maple tart for dessert. (Meanwhile the reporter running this liveblog is having to make do with a hastily eaten oven pizza).
Guests have started arriving at Dublin Castle for tonight’s banquet in honour of President Biden.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has arrived as has former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Tánaiste Micheál Martin is there with his wife and son, others spotted inside include Labour leader Ivana Bacik and Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd.
One of the unexpected stars of the show, Labour Senator Rebecca Moynihan’s infant daughter Margot was referenced by Biden during his Oireachtas address and obliged the US president a few joint photographs afterwards:
Now it’s wheels away for Biden as he heads on to an official dinner hosted by the Taoiseach in Dublin Castle, our political correspondent Cormac McQuinn has the details:
This evening’s festivities in Dublin Castle will begin with a reception in the portrait gallery followed by a banquet dinner in St Patrick’s hall.
During the dinner there will be musical entertainment from composer and fiddle player Colm Mac Con Iomaire, a member of The Frames, who will give a rendition of Danny Boy and concertina player Cormac Begley playing O’Neill’s March.
There will be songs from Lisa Hannigan and Loah including a setting of Seamus Heaney’s poem Anahorish.
Before dinner four members of Music Generation - Hugh Kavanagh, Aislinn Joyce, Sonny Cahill and Áine Donohoeers - will play traditional Irish instruments. Also playing will be a string quartet comprising of the Duo Chagal pair Gillian Williams and Arun Rao and fellow musicians Cecil Henriquez and Catriona Atkinson.
Fiona Gryson, an internationally recognised Irish harpist, will round off the musical entertainment.
Making his way up out of the Dáil chamber it was handshakes all around, with Biden spotted hugging former president Mary McAleese on his way out.
Biden says the chance to address the Oireachtas was “one of the greatest honours” of his career, as he concludes his speech to a standing ovation across the Dáil chamber.
The Irish Times gets a shoutout from Biden during his Oireachtas speech:
While speaking about the significant number of US multinational companies based in the Republic, Biden notes that it was important that corporations “pay their fair share” of taxes.
When it comes to the Belfast Agreement, Biden says “more is to be done”, adding that peace “is precious” and still “needs to be nurtured”.
“I think that the United Kingdom should be working closer with Ireland in this endeavor, political violence must never be allowed to take hold again on this island”, he says.
Sarah Burns, looking on from the Dáil gallery, notes Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews is in the chamber wearing a Palestine jersey.
The US president now pays tribute to the aid and support provided by the Republic to Ukraine, following the Russian invasion last year
“Our history reminds us, our history, yours and mine, the responsibilities that we have to the present [and] the expectation of future generations”, Biden says
The United States was “shaped by Ireland”, who had been a historic partner. “As nation’s we’ve known hardship and division, but we have also found solace in each other,” Biden says.
Irish emigrants that left for America, became the “untiring backbone” of the United States progress as a nation, Biden says.
The links between Ireland and the United States is a “partnership for the ages”, Biden says.
He recalls his previous visit to the Republic as US vice president in 2016, where he traced his Irish heritage.
Biden begins his address to the Houses of the Oireachtas, he takes a stab at speaking in Irish, saying “I’m home”.
Watching from the Dáil gallery, Sarah Burns reports there were tears in Marie Heaney’s eyes, as Ó Fearghaíl references her late husband, the famous poet Seamus Heaney, who he says he is sure “is looking down on us with his glasses nestled between his fingers and a hint of a smile”.
In opening remarks teeing up Biden, Ceann Comhairle Séan Ó Fearghaíl references the address as a “very proud and historic day”, coming he says nearly sixty years on from the time John F Kennedy addressed both Houses of the Oireachtas during a visit in 1963.
He also notes it has been the fourth time the Oireachtas has been addressed by a US President.
Around round of applause, this time for Labour Party Senator Rebecca Moynihan’s young baby girl Margot, who is in the chamber for the speech.
Biden has entered the Dáil chamber, to a standing round of applause from politicians, with a few cheers as well
From reporter Shauna Bowers, setting the scene of Biden’s arrival at Leinster House:
Just after 5pm, President Biden arrived at Leinster House, signalled by the sound of police sirens and helicopters overhead.
His arrival was almost two hours later than originally planned due to the earlier engagements at Farmleigh House and Aras an Uachtarain running late.
Pulling up to the building in his black car, known as the Beast, the he was met by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer at the Merrion Street side of the building.
After several photos, the President was escorted inside the building where he met party leaders before his official address.
Former president Mary McAleese is sitting in the gallery beside former taoisigh Enda Kenny and Bertie Ahern, as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Michéal Martin and the other party leaders have arrived in the chamber, meaning it is nearly kick off time for Biden.
One thing I’m wondering is whether Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae’s unmistakable Nokia phone ringtone is going to go off during Biden’s speech, as it has been known to do on many occasions in the Dáil chamber.
Sarah Burns, reporting from the Dáil, says Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason and the US ambassador to Ireland Clare Cronin have just sat down in the Oireachtas viewing gallery, as has Hunter Biden.
Washington correspondent Martin Wall reports the official White House readout of Biden’s meeting with President Higgins earlier outlined the US President “affirmed the deep and enduring ties that link the United States and Ireland, culturally, politically, and economically”.
“They reflected on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, underscoring their steadfast support for preserving and expanding its peace dividend,” according to the White House.
The word around Leinster House is that Biden has left the Phoenix Park and is en route to arrive shortly to address the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Handing over the reins on the live blog to my colleague Jack Power who will be bringing you the latest from President Biden’s address to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the State Banquet at Dublin Castle later.
Sarah Burns, our reporter in the Dáil, has been monitoring the arrival of guests for President Biden’s address to the Houses of the Oireachtas this afternoon.
Among the guests are Biden’s cousin, former Ireland rugby player Rob Kearney - the slayer of the Black and Tans - sorry, the All Blacks from Chicago’s Soldier Field in 2016.
Also in the visitors’ gallery are RTE’s Ryan Tubridy and GAA commentator Joe Brolly, husband of Biden’s distant cousin Laurita Blewitt from the Mayo wing of the US president’s family.
Others in the chamber include Ukraine ambassador to Ireland Larisa Gerasko. Former president Mary McAleese is there too, as is former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny was spotted chatting to former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams. There are also a few MEPs in attendance: Frances Fitzgerald, Ciaran Cuffe and Maria Walsh. Labour senator Rebecca Moynihan has brought her new baby along.
Amid all the high levels of security during the US presidential visit, the greatest risk to Joe Biden appears to have nearly come from a rogue sliotar this afternoon.
Biden and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar finished up their bilateral talks at Farmleigh House at 3.02pm and came outside to view a demonstration of Gaelic games.
Players from St Brigid’s GAA club in Castleknock then took part in the outdoor display for president Biden.
The 10-to-12-year-old boys and girls participating in the hurling, camogie and Gaelic football all hail from the Taoiseach’s constituency, West Dublin.
A bemused White House correspondent described hurling and camogie to those unfamiliar with the games as a “form of lacrosse”.
At one point, another correspondent told how Biden put his arm around the Taoiseach as he spoke.
A sliotar then reportedly whizzed right by Biden’s left shoulder, almost striking the president. Biden started going after the ball, but a young girl ran by him and POTUS stopped chasing.
The press pool was then moved away at 3.05pm while Biden and Varadkar were still outside.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and US president Joe Biden held a bilateral meeting earlier in Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park. Here’s who was in attendance.
On the US side...
US President Joe Biden
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
Claire Cronin, US ambassador to Ireland
Jon Finer, assistant to the president and principal deputy national security advisor
Bruce Reed, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff
Mike Donilon, assistant to the president and senior advisor to the president
Amanda Sloat, special assistant to the president and senior director for Europe, National Security Council
Ben Canavan, director for European Affairs, National Security Council
On the Irish side...
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
John Callinan, secretary general, Department of the Taoiseach
Brian Murphy, chief of staff to the Taoiseach
Geraldine Byrne Nason, Irish ambassador to the US
Helen Blake, assistant secretary, Department of the Taoiseach
Émer Deane, counsellor department of the Taoiseach
Philip O’Callaghan, deputy chief of staff to the Taoiseach
Our colleague Stephen Murphy at Sky News posted this from Co Mayo on the preparations for President Biden’s speech - the main public address of his three-day visit to the Republic - at St Muredach’s Cathedral on Friday night...
Here’s that selfie that Newstalk’s intrepid reporter Henry McKean managed to snag with President Biden outside Áras an Uachtaráin. You don’t ask, you don’t get.
And the selfie-gathering in real time:
President Michael D Higgins might have Bród and Misneach, but An Garda Siochána have Oscar and Dualtach....
President Joe Biden and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke briefly to the media ahead of their meeting at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park.
Mr Biden said: “You know, I think there really is an opportunity to make serious progress, not just because of the accords we signed 25 years ago, but I mean just in terms of the way you’re leading Ireland.”
Mr Biden also thanked Mr Varadkar for welcoming Ukrainians to Ireland. “I know it’s not easy.”
Mr Biden praised the strong Irish-American relations, while Mr Varadkar praised Mr Biden’s leadership and that shown by the United States for Ukraine in the war with Russia.
“It feels so good to be able to have this emerging and stronger, stronger connection between the United States and Ireland. I think our values are the same and I think our concerns are the same,” said Mr Biden.
On the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mr Varadkar said he “never thought in my lifetime that we would see a war of this nature in Europe again.”
“Democracy and liberty and the things that we believe are in retreat in large parts of the world and if it wasn’t for American leadership and if it wasn’t for America and Europe working together, I don’t know what kind of world we live,” said the Taoiseach.
He told Mr Biden that he appreciated his personal leadership “both in terms of securing peace in Ireland but also in trying to protect democracy and liberty here in Europe.”
The meeting between the two leaders is expected to last about an hour.
The travelling US media accompanying President Biden are more interested in asking about a major leak of classified information at the Pentagon discovered last week than about the US president’s Irish visit.
The White House press pool managed to get a response, as Jack Horgan-Jones reports:
Mr Biden would not be drawn on the detail of an investigation into leaked US military documents related to the war in Ukraine. He said there was a “full blown” investigation underway with the intelligence community and the Justice Department. “They’re getting close, I don’t have an answer”. He said he was concerned the leak happened but “there was nothing contemporaneous that I’m aware of that I’m aware of that is of great consequence”.
More from reporter Jack Horgan-Jones on that impromptu Biden press conference at Áras an Uachtaráin:
US President Joe Biden has said he hopes the Stormont executive “begins to function as it used to” as a representative body in Northern Ireland, after ringing the peace bell in Áras an Uachtaráin during his official visit with President Michael D Higgins.
In brief remarks after the ceremony, during which he also planted an oak tree in the grounds of the Áras, he spoke about how his ancestors and those of former US President Barack Obama left from the same Irish port five weeks apart.
“The idea they both would seek a new life and think their great, great grandsons would end up becoming President of the United States is just remarkable,” he said.
“That’s the Irish of it.”
Speaking about his Irish heritage, Mr Biden said: “You hear all these stories about what it was like back in Ireland, they heard from their parents, their grandparents, their great grandparents.”
He said his grandfather used to say his grandfather Owen, who emigrated from Ireland, told him how Scranton, Pennsylvania was just like the Boyne Valley, a place he visited when he came to Ireland first. “And you could see, a hundred years ago (Scranton) would look like the Boyne.”
Mr Biden said he rang the Peace Bell at the Áras four times: “For Ireland”, “for the United States”, for his ancestors and “for peace”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has welcomed President Joe Biden on his arrival at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park for the second engagement of Day Two of his Irish visit. Lots of smiles and waves for the cameras. The presidential schedule is running about an hour behind because of Mr Biden’s late arrival at Áras an Uachtaráin.
President Joe Biden has left Áras an Uachtaráin and is on his way to the second official engagement of Day Two of his visit: a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar a short distance away at Farmleigh House.
President Biden plants an oak tree and rings the Peace Bell in the gardens at the Áras. The US president wonders if the tree will be here for his great-grandchildren to climb. The two presidents and Mrs Higgins enjoying the sunshine: “When you are in the sunshine, you are happy,” she says.
Mr Biden holds an impromptu press conference, saying that it “feels great” to be “home” in Ireland. He says he knows “it sounds silly” but that there are many Irish-Americans with relatives who went to the US in the 1840s who never managed to return to Ireland.
He recalls some personal family history and how his ancestors thought the landscape around his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania reminded the family of the Boyne Valley.
The US president talks with pride about the achievement of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and about his hopes that the Northern Ireland government “begins to function like it used to,” before adding: “That is for you all to decide, not for me to decide,” repeating a similar line from his speech at Ulster University on Wednesday.
Newstalk reporter Henry McKean cheekily asks Mr Biden for a selfie and the US president happily obliges.
The two presidents proceed to walk around the gardens at Áras, accompanied by a more courageous Misneach, before proceeding inside the building again.
President Michael D Higgins’ Bernese mountain dog Misneach not too happy about meeting President Biden - lots of barking. Misneach, meaning “courage”, not showing much courage there.
A number of prominent Irish-American politicians are tagging along with President Biden on this visit. One notable figure is Democratic congressman Richie Neal, for decades a key player on Capitol Hill who played an important role in building peace in Northern Ireland.
Among the other members of Congress in the delegation are former US senators Chris Dodd, currently special presidential adviser to the Americas, and former special envoy to Northern Ireland, Gary Hart. Both Democrats were one-time presidential candidates and are proud Irish-Americans.
US Democratic senator Ed Markey is also in the presidential party along with members of the US House of Representative Brian Higgins of New York, Mike Quigley of Illinois, Debbie Dingell of Michigan, Pat Ryan of New York and Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania.
The mayor of Mr Biden’s hometown, Scranton in Pennsylvania, Paige Cognetti, has also travelled as part of Mr Biden’s delegation. Former US ambassador to Ireland during the Obama years, Kevin O’Malley, is also here.
Another delegate joining Mr Biden is Nancy Soderberg, the former deputy national security adviser in the Clinton White House who played a critical role in the decision to grant Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams a US visa in 1994. That move helped win vital Irish and US support for the Northern Ireland peace process.
President Higgins and President Biden are currently in the President’s Study for a private meeting before tree-planting ceremony and Mr Biden rings the Peace Bell in the gardens of the Áras.
Biden’s late arrival means he is running around 45 minutes behind
. He was due to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park at 1pm, according to the White House’s schedule, so that meeting will be delayed.
An Garda Siochána have posted this on Twitter about Operation Fáilteach, the security operation around this visit, the eighth Irish visit by a sitting US president:
More from our reporter Jack Horgan-Jones who is at the Áras:
Outside Áras an Uachtaráin, President Biden and President Higgins stood for a Guard of Honour which presented arms. This was followed by the playing of the national anthems of the United States and Ireland. President Biden inspected the guard of honour and was then introduced to the Irish delegation by President Higgins.
The Irish delegation meeting President Biden includes Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Irish ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne-Nason; Dermot Woods, assistant secretary of the Department of the Taoiseach; George Burke, deputy secretary general to President Higgins, Claire Power, adviser to President Higgins, Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy Brig General Cudmore and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
President Biden introduced the US delegation to President Higgins, including cabinet members Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Claire Cronin, the US ambassador to Ireland, Jon Finer, an assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor, as well as presidential assistants Bruce Reed, Mike Donilon and Amanda Sloat.
Reflecting the personal nature of the visit in addition to the political engagements, President Biden also introduced President Higgins to his son Hunter and sister Valerie, who also acts as a political adviser.
Signing the visitor’s book at Áras an Uachtaráin, President Biden says he signed: “As the Irish saying goes, your feet will bring you to where your heart is... and it’s an honour to return and to come home to the home of my ancestors.”
Asked by a reporter what are his quintessentially Irish characteristics are, Mr Biden said: “I’m not going to presume. I”ll let others make that judgment.”
He tells reporters that he wrote in the book that it was an honour to return to celebrate the ties between Ireland and the United States and too “re-commit” ourselves to peace, equity and dignity. He said the “most Irish word used in my family is dignity.”
“I am not going home,” Mr Biden said. “I am staying here.”
Addressing the travelling White House press pool, he said: “All you American reporters, it’s just like the White House, right?”
From Jack Horgan-Jones at Áras an Uachtaráin:
President Michael D Higgins has welcomed US President Joe Biden to Áras an Uachtaráin for the diplomatic high point of his visit to Ireland.
In bright sunshine on a fresh morning President Biden arrived to President Higgins’ residence, where he was met by the Irish President and Sabina Higgins.
President Biden will spend the morning meeting dignitaries and in a private conversation with President Higgins. He will also plant a tree, and ring the ceremonial peace bell - inaugurated in 2008 to mark the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Belfast Agreement.
Members of the Irish delegation arrived from 11am, including Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who was met by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy.
Lt Gen Clancy then escorted President Higgins to the main entrance with Sabina Higgins, where they met President Biden.
They will proceed to the Drawing Room in the Áras, where President Higgins will introduce Mr Martin and Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President, to President Biden.
President Higgins will then lead President Biden down the Francini Corridor in the Áras, flanked by busts of Irish Presidents on one side. In the State reception room, President Biden will sign the visitors book, before President Higgins will introduce Lt General Clancy and Brigadier General Tony Cudmore, Officer Commanding, 2nd Brigade.
President Biden arrives at Áras an Uachtaráin and is greeted by President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina
This is Simon Carswell taking over live reporting duties for Day Two of President Biden’s visit. Thanks to Glen Murphy for manning the tiller earlier.
With Biden running late for his first engagement of the day, good to see the Irish press corps being sustained at the Áras with some presidential juice. From our man on the ground, reporter Jack Horgan-Jones:
In Dublin, the sun is currently shining down on the Phoenix Park where Biden is due to meet Michael D Higgins soon. Much better weather than that which covered Wednesday’s engagements in Louth. Higgins’ dog Misneach is out and about on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin before meeting yet another world leader.
Biden has always been fiercely proud of his Irish heritage and has said his visit so far has felt like coming home.
Coverage of the US president’s visit to our shores has also been making headlines in the States.
Dublin is not the only area that can expect road disruption as part of Biden’s visit.
Access to Ballina town centre will be significantly limited on Friday due to the visit of US president Joe Biden to the Co Mayo town. From 10am, vehicles belonging only to local residents and business workers will be given access as the N59 passing through the town will be closed.
Read the full story from Nathan Johns here: Access to Ballina town limited on Friday due to Biden visit as N59 closes
Mr Biden had “the time of his life” in Co Louth on Wednesday, the White House has said. – Martin Wall
Biden is scheduled to meet President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin around 11am on Thursday and the red carpet has been rolled out in advance of his arrival.
Crowds steadily formed across the day in Dundalk for president Biden’s walkabout in the town on Wednesday evening, writes Conor Capplis.
He was gone almost as soon as Dundalk knew he was coming. Biden’s fleeting visit to the Co Louth border town was historic, rainy and, most of all, brief.
Read the full report here: Joe Biden’s Dundalk visit: ‘Was that it? I waited hours for this fella’
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that she thinks the decision by People Before Profit TDs not to attend the Dáil address by US president Joe Biden was “the wrong choice” and one with which she did not agree.
“I don’t agree with them about not being present. I think that’s the wrong choice,” she told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
American foreign policy had been an important part of the peace process, she said. Without it there would not have been a peace process. The American administration at the time, led by Bill Clinton, took “very, very courageous decisions” and “calculated risks” for peace for Ireland.
People like former US house speaker Nancy Pelosi and congressman Richie O’Neill had been instrumental in ensuring an outcome that protected Irish interests, she added. Ms McDonald said she doubted that anybody in the US administration was unaware of the wide criticism of many of their foreign policy stances.
When asked if she would take the opportunity to raise the issue of Palestine with Mr Biden, Ms McDonald said she did not know what opportunity she would have for a conversation of any length with the president.
“My first port of call with the president is Ireland and Irish affairs.” Her position with regards the rights of the Palestinian people and Israeli apartheid were well documented.
“This is about Ireland. This is about the political opportunities that I want us to grasp with both hands. And the United States of America is a partner in that.” – Vivienne Clarke
The White House has moved to clean up comments made last night by president Biden which appeared to confuse the All Black rugby team with the Black and Tans.
Speaking in the Windsor bar in Dundalk on Wednesday night the president pointed to his distant cousin Rob Kearney who he described as a “hell of a rugby player and he beat the hell out of the black and tans”.
At a briefing on Thursday morning US national security council senior director for Europe Amanda Sloat said “for everyone in Ireland who is a rugby fan it was incredibly clear that he was talking about the All Blacks and Ireland’s defeat of the New Zealand team in 2016″. – Martin Wall
The New York Post in the US called the gaffe “cringeworthy”
Here’s how the Guardian in the UK reported on Biden’s confused remarks
Traffic disruption is expected in Dublin city centre on Wednesday as part of Mr Biden’s visit to the capital. An Garda Síochána has advised that multiple road closures and parking restrictions are in place, mostly around the Phoenix Park and the south of the city centre.
Read more here: Dublin city centre roads to close and bins sealed
Ever considerate, Joe Biden came bearing gifts. He didn’t let the first day of his visit pass without obliging with a most delicious verbal gaffe.
If you missed Tuesday’s excitement, Miriam Lord’s account of the president’s Louth sightseeing is worth a read.
Welcome to The Irish Times’ live coverage of the third day of US president Joe Biden’s visit to the island of Ireland, with an itinerary focused solely on Dublin after time spent in Belfast, Carlingford and Dundalk on Wednesday.
He will begin with a visit on Thursday to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President Michael D Higgins before lunchtime. He will participate in a tree-planting ceremony and ring the peace bell.
He will then meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in nearby Farmleigh House. Mr Varadkar described Mr Biden’s visit as “an opportunity to celebrate and renew the strong political, economic and personal ties that bind our two countries”.
The highlight on Thursday will be an address to the joint Houses of Oireachtas on Thursday afternoon. He will be the fourth US president to give such an address. The first was given by John F Kennedy 60 years ago in 1963. The others were by Ronald Reagan in June 1984 and Bill Clinton in December 1995.
It will be followed by a banquet dinner at Dublin Castle on Thursday night. Mr Biden is expected to spend Thursday night in the US ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park. – Ronan McGreevy
Read more of Joe Biden’s visit here:
- Dinner with the US president in Dublin Castle: What’s on the menu?
- Biden visit to Ireland sparks surge in US tourism
- ‘It feels like home’: Biden ends first day of visit with a family reunion
- Miriam Lord: Joe Biden, giddy with Irish pride, serves up delicious gaffe
- Analysis: For all the softly softly approach, Biden’s message on restoring Assembly was clear
- Fintan O’Toole: JFK embodied an idea of what Ireland aspired to be, Biden embodies an idea of what we used to be
- David Kilroy: Why US presidents just can’t stay away from Ireland
- Joe Biden’s Dundalk visit: ‘Was that it? I waited hours for this fella’
